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Filipinos in Arizona Embrace Dual Citizenship Through Consular Outreach

Jennifer Del Mar Lewis

Philippine Consular Outreach Event, Phoenix, Arizona – March 2-3, 2024

Consular outreach events continue to open doors for Filipinos living in Arizona by making dual citizenship a more accessible and attainable goal.  This initiative forms part of a wider effort to support Filipinos abroad, helping them to forge stronger links with their Philippine heritage while enjoying the privileges of citizenship in both the Philippines and the United States.

Dual citizenship offers several benefits, enhancing the lives of Filipinos abroad. It eases travel between the Philippines and the United States, provides the right to own property in the Philippines, and allows participation in the electoral processes of both countries. Beyond these practical advantages, dual citizenship deepens the connection to Filipino cultural heritage, enriching the lives of those who choose to embrace their dual identity.

In addition to dual citizenship, the outreach also addressed attendees’ needs by offering passport services, handling civil registrations (including births, marriages, and deaths), and facilitating document legalization.

During this most recent community service event, the Filipino American Business Chamber of Commerce of Arizona (FABCCA) played a crucial role by managing outreach logistics like venue selection, volunteers, office equipment, and supplies while coordinating with the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles to ensure a smooth process.

In a truly collaborative effort, the event also supported and sponsored by the following organizations:

  • The Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC)
  • The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) in Arizona
  • The Filipino American Families Support Team of Arizona (FAST of AZ)
  • The Phoenix Barangay Lions Club
  • The Phoenix One World Global Artists Lions Club
  • The Filipino American Marriage-Group of Arizona (FAMAZ)
  • The Glendale Professionals and Healthcare Associates Lions Club
  • The Glendale Heal the World Lions Club

The organizers of the event expressed their gratitude towards everyone who played a role in making the recent consular outreach a success, especially highlighting the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles and its team. They also extended special thanks to Father Reggie Carreon for allowing the event to be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church. The involvement of volunteers, vendors, and sponsors were all important factors that contributed to the overall success of the event.

These outreach events underscore a commitment to keeping the Filipino community in Arizona connected to its roots. It also highlights an ongoing effort to ensure that Filipinos living in the U.S. can navigate the advantages of both their American and Filipino identities.

Jennifer Del Mar Lewis

Jennifer is an experienced business development consultant with a focus on small businesses, marketing, and promotional products. She holds notable standing within the Filipino community having actively led and contributed to a range of community endeavors and disaster relief initiatives in past years. Jennifer has previously served as Chair of the Council of Filipino Organizations of Arizona (CFOAZ) and presently fulfills the role of Public Relations for the same organization. She is also a Co-founder and current President of the Filipino American Marriage Group of Arizona (FAMAZ). In addition to these key roles, Jennifer plays an influential part in the Filipino American community, holding positions such as Public Relations for the Arizona Chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), and being a member of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC). She also serves as the Vice President of Public Relations for the Filipino American Business Chamber of Commerce of Arizona (FABCCA) and is Secretary of the Phoenix One World Global Artists Lions Club (POWGALC).

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